Part 1: How to use Run Commands
Click Win + R keyboard shortcuts to bring up Run dialog. (In Windows 10, you also can press Win + X and then select Run.) Then type one command and click OK or press Enter key so that you can quickly open the app.
Part 2: 20 most-used Run Commands for Windows 10 users
A Run Command is not simply the name of an app/program, Windows designs a great many specialized Run commands. Here we illustrate the twenty most commonly used.
1. control
This is a Run Command to quickly access Windows 10 Control Panel. However, some users are used to open the Control Panel by Start menu or Windows 10 Power user menu.
2. taskmgr
This is a Run Command to open Task Manager as quickly as by right-clicking on the blank area of Windows 10 taskbar.
3. cmd
There are more options to open Command Prompt in Windows 10, this command is just one of shortcuts.
4. netplwiz
The common User Account is in Windows Control Panel, while this command opens the advanced User Accounts window.
5. regedit
A power user may need to open Registry Editor to make changes to Windows registry. With this command, you can quickly access Registry Editor.
6. lusrmgr.msc
Running this command, you can open Local Users and Groups manager where you can edit properties of all your users and groups.
7. appwiz.cpl
This Run Command quickly opens the Programs and Features window where you can uninstall programs and apps in Windows 10.
8. desk.cpl
It's a shortcut allowing you to change your Windows screen resolution.
9. powercfg.cpl
Running this command will directly open the Power Options window which is buried in Control Panel.
10. main.cpl
This command can help you access Mouse Propertiesdialog where you can change settings of the mouse connected to your computer.
11. snippingtool
If you are wondering How to Take Screenshots on Microsoft Surface Tablet, this Run Command is just the shortcut to open Windows built-in Snipping Tool, with which you can not only take a screenshot but also edit the screenshot.
12. logoff
This Run Command is a less known quick way to sign out of Windows 10.
13. msconfig
This command opens System Configuration dialog where you can change some of the system settings in Windows.
14. diskmgmt.msc
This Run Command helps you open Windows 10 Disk Management where you can manage the hard disk partition on your computer.
15. chrome/firefox/iexplore
Running chrome or firefox command can launch Chrome or Firefox browser if it’s installed on your Windows 10, and the iexplore command can open Internet Explorer.
16. calc: Open Windows built-in calculator app for you.
17. compmgmt.msc: Open Computer Management window.
18. gpedit.msc: Open Local Group Policy Editor.
19. cleanmgr: Open Disk Cleanup utility.
20. sysdm.cpl: Opens System Properties window.
The above are 20 most commonly used Run Commands. Believe they can help Windows 10 users quickly open some most-used apps/programs/tasks. Certainly, they will also apply in the earlier Windows versions.
Just Press Windows key + r and let the fun begin
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Windows run commands are shortest ways to reach at any particular setting panel or open any useful applications. Although Microsoft has made taskbar search very much efficient in doing that, but you can not find each and everything via taskbar search. Also searching something in search box of taskbar and then clicking on the search result is one step longer as compared to opening it via run. Also, opening something via run box seems geeky and cool. For example very few people know that you can reach control panel directly by typing control in run box or you can directly open on screen keyboard by typing osk in run box. I have listed here all the important run commands in windows 10.
Just Press Windows key + r and let the fun begin
-
Windows run commands are shortest ways to reach at any particular setting panel or open any useful applications. Although Microsoft has made taskbar search very much efficient in doing that, but you can not find each and everything via taskbar search. Also searching something in search box of taskbar and then clicking on the search result is one step longer as compared to opening it via run. Also, opening something via run box seems geeky and cool. For example very few people know that you can reach control panel directly by typing control in run box or you can directly open on screen keyboard by typing osk in run box. I have listed here all the important run commands in windows 10.
Useful Windows Tools
- On screen Keyboard – osk
- Calculator – calc
- WordPad – write
- Windows Media Player – wmplayer
- Windows Fax and Scan – wfs
- Snipping Tools – snippingtool
- Paint – mspaint
- Notepad – notepad
- Task manager – taskmgr
- Sticky Notes – stikynot
- Math Input Panel – mip
- Command Prompt – cmd
- Powershell – powershell
- Windows Journal – journal
- Narrator – narrator
- Magnifier – magnify
- Edge – microsoft-edge://
- Internet Explorer – iexplore
- Bluetooth – fsquirt
- Windows Firewall – firewall.cpl
- Windows Firewall with Advanced Security – wf.msc
- Windows Explorer – explorer
- XPS Viewer – xpsrchvw
Specific utilities
- Create Repair Disc – recdisc
- Backup and Restore – sdclt
- Remote Assistance – msra
- To Open Recently Viewed files – recent
- To Connect to a Projector – displayswitch
- To add a New Device – devicepairingwizard
- Open Ease of Access centre – utilman
- User Account Control Settings – useraccountcontrolsettings
- Windows Task scheduler – taskschd.msc
- System Restore – rstrui
- All System information – msinfo32
- Network Connections – ncpa.cpl
- System Configuration – msconfig
- Disk Cleanup – cleanmgr
- Disk Defragmenter – dfrgui
- Disk Management – diskmgmt.msc
- Malicious Software Removal Tool – mrt
- Problem Steps Recorder – psr
- Internet Options – inetcpl.cpl
- Device Manager – devmgmt.msc
- Computer Management – compmgmt.msc
- Shared Folders – fsmgmt.msc
- Create a shared folder wizard – shrpubw
- Backup and restore user name and passwords – credwiz
- Region and Language – intl.cpl
- Registry Editor – regedit
- Local Group Policy Editor – gpedit.msc
- Indexing Options – rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL srchadmin.dll
- Resource Monitor – resmon
- Sound settings – mmsys.cpl
- Troubleshooting – control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting
- User Accounts – control.exe /name Microsoft.UserAccounts
- Local Users and Groups – lusrmgr.msc
- Advanced User Accounts – netplwiz
- Time and Date – timedate.cpl
- Screen Resolution – desk.cpl
- Color Management – colorcpl
- Event Viewer – eventvwr.msc
- Remote Desktop Connection – mstsc
- Services – services.msc
- Certificates – certmgr.msc
- Mouse settings – main.cpl
- Know current Windows version – winver
- Local Security Policy – secpol.msc
- Directly go to list of installed programs – appwiz.cpl
- Windows Update settings – control update
- Administrative Tools – controladmintools
- Scheduled Tasks – control schedtasks
Control Panel Run Commands
- Control Panel – control
- Personalization & Themes – controldesktop
- Personalization & Color – controlcolor
- File explorer properties & Folder Options – control folders
- Keyboard Properties – controlkeyboard
- Mouse Properties – control mouse
- Network Properties – control netconnections
- Printers Properties – control printers
- Manage current user Account – control userpasswords
- Manager all User Accounts – control userpasswords2
Open Folder Commands
- Open Documents Folder – documents
- Open Videos folder – videos
- Open Downloads Folder – downloads
- Open Favorites Folder – favorites
- Open Recent Folder – recent
- Open Pictures Folder – pictures
System Run commands
- System Configuration – msconfig
- System Configuration Editor – sysedit
- System Information – msinfo32
- System Properties – sysdm.cpl
- System Properties (Advanced Tab) – systempropertiesadvanced
- System Properties (Computer Name Tab) – systempropertiescomputername
- System Properties (Hardware Tab) – systempropertieshardware
- System Properties (Remote Tab) – systempropertiesremote
- System Properties (System Protection Tab) – systempropertiesprotection
- System Restore – rstrui
All other useful run Command shortcuts
- Display Color Calibration – dccw
- Display – dpiscaling
- Display Switch – displayswitch
- Driver Verifier Manager – verifier
- File Signature Verification – sigverif
- Game Controllers – joy.cpl
- Getting Started – gettingstarted
- iSCSI Initiator Configuration Tool – iscsicpl
- Language Pack Installer – lpksetup
- Microsoft Management Console – mmc
- Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool – msdt
- Performance Monitor – perfmon.msc
- Phone and Modem telephon – cpl
- Phone Dialer – dialer
- WMI Management – wmimgmt.msc
- Windows Disc Image Burning Tool – isoburn
- Windows DVD Maker – dvdmaker